Convicted child molester gets 25 years in prison

Published: Monday, July 8, 2013 at 4:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 8, 2013 at 4:06 p.m.

A man found guilty of inappropriately touching a 9-year-old girl has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Circuit Judge Sandra Edwards-Stephens sentenced David James Herborn Monday morning. The prison term will be followed by a life of sex-offender probation.

Herborn, 63, an Ocala resident, was found guilty by a jury in May of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child younger than 12. The jury acquitted Herborn on a second felony charge of lewd and lascivious solicitation of a child in the same case.

As part of this sentence, the defendant is also forbidden from contacting the victim or her family.

The sentencing was delayed because of an order for a pre-sentencing investigation.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office arrested Herborn in March 2012 after meeting with the victim's mother. The woman told deputies that her daughter said their neighbor, the defendant, made her “feel uncomfortable.” The girl told authorities she was left in Herborn's care while her mother went to the store. According to reports, he inappropriately touched the child over her clothing and made remarks about her chest and buttocks.

Herborn will receive a 69-day credit for time served in jail pending resolution of the case.

<p>A man found guilty of inappropriately touching a 9-year-old girl has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.</p><p>Circuit Judge Sandra Edwards-Stephens sentenced David James Herborn Monday morning. The prison term will be followed by a life of sex-offender probation.</p><p>Herborn, 63, an Ocala resident, was found guilty by a jury in May of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child younger than 12. The jury acquitted Herborn on a second felony charge of lewd and lascivious solicitation of a child in the same case.</p><p>As part of this sentence, the defendant is also forbidden from contacting the victim or her family.</p><p>The sentencing was delayed because of an order for a pre-sentencing investigation.</p><p>The Marion County Sheriff's Office arrested Herborn in March 2012 after meeting with the victim's mother. The woman told deputies that her daughter said their neighbor, the defendant, made her “feel uncomfortable.” The girl told authorities she was left in Herborn's care while her mother went to the store. According to reports, he inappropriately touched the child over her clothing and made remarks about her chest and buttocks.</p><p>Herborn will receive a 69-day credit for time served in jail pending resolution of the case.</p><p><i>Contact April Warren at 867-4065 or april.warren@ocala.com.</i></p>